KATHMANDU: Minster for Tourism and Civil Aviation Sarat Singh Bhandari on Tuesday said that Nepal Tourism Board (NTB) had to be empowered with more resources and means.

A statement issued by NTB on Wednesday has Minister Bhandari as saying that NTB will play a coordinator role to bridge the gap between the government and private sectors to enhance the tourism industry of the country. Bhandari opined “Nepal Tourism Year 2011 is a national programme and in order to entrust the ownership of all the individuals and agencies, to make it successful, all district development committees should earmark at least some percentages of its budget for tourism development in the concept of "One District One Destination.” Bhandari suggested that the NTB play an immense role in finding out new products and ensure their availability in the international market. During the official visit of the minister Chief Executive Officer of NTB Prachanda Man Shrestha briefed him on the activities, programmes and plans of NTB along with constraints it has been facing.